The 10 Most Corrupt Countries In The World

The world responded to corruption like never before in 2011 as regimes throughout the Mid-East fell and citizens demanded greater rights.

But the response did little to change the number of corrupt countries occupying the map.

This year's gold-standard of corruption studies, the Corrupt Perceptions Index, has been released and it pegs corruption in the countries of the world on a scale of 1 to 10 — from most corrupt — to the least.

The following slides show the 10 most corrupt countries and what allows them the dark distinction.

#10 Venezuela's corruption began with the discovery of oil

Venezuela ranks 172 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.9 out of 10.

The discovery of mass amounts of oil in Venezuela hastened its slide into corruption and by the 1970s the petroleum sucked from the ground was called "the Devil's excrement" by Venezuelans.

Hugo Chavez's election to president in 1999 did nothing to slow the corruption. His Fifth Republic Movement is accused of cronyism, political patronage, and corruption just like the movement his party promised to replace.

#5 Uzbekistan's top officials reap all the benefits from rich resources

Uzbekistan ranks 177 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1.6 out of 10.

The government is rich in resources, but doesn't allow for independent private sector growth, keeping control of everything.

A WikiLeak letter condemns former Prince Michael for "rampant corruption" and "organized crime." The authoritarian government is often cited as the root of the corruption problems.

Part of its anti-corruption drive shut down 100 supermarkets and manufacturing businesses. But according a local businessman, there's been "no progress in the battle against corruption. The country and its society are corrupted through and through."

#2 North Korea's officials drink imported Coke while its citizens die from starvation

North Korea ranks 182 out of 182 countries and earned a score of 1 out of 10.

North Korea is little transparency, but just getting there usually requires large bribes. Most of the testimonies come from refugees from the country, most of whom paid bribes to escape.

A Chinese national who snuck in and out of the country told RFA, "In some places in North Korea people are starving to death, but railway security agents wear Seiko watches and smoke [Craven A] cigarettes."